Sixth generation (A6, Mk6)
2017 Volkswagen Jetta
The most reported problem on the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta is airbag, with 21 complaints, usually around 32,000 miles.
- 159owner complaints
- 7recalls
- 18involved a crash
- 39,000median miles at failure
Newest report Jul 29, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
Problem sheets
No single problem on the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta has enough owner reports for a sheet of its own yet. The counts below still cover every complaint on file.
Is the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
The 2017 Volkswagen Jetta has 159 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, close to the median of 178 for 2017 sedans on this site. Of the 12 Jetta model years since 2014, it has the 5th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2016 and 2018
- At 16 complaints for each year on the road, the 2017 runs close to the 2016 (15) and 4.6 times the 2018 (3).
- Top problem
- Two problems run close. Airbag has 21 complaints and stalling has 20, out of 159 in all. A quarter of the 10 owners who gave a mileage for airbag saw it by about 7,000 miles, and half by about 32,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 20 of the 159 complaints (13%) report a crash, a fire or an injury. The typical vehicle on this site sits at 6%, so this one runs well above it. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 18 reports mention a crash, 3 mention a fire and 9 people were hurt. The reports record 1 death. The most crash reports, 8 of 18, fall under airbag.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- 7 recalls are on file, but no problem here has enough reports to set against them.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2020 at 25 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 17. So far in 2026, 3 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: airbag warning light or recall, 21 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
159 complaints is 1.7 times fewer than the median 2017 model on this site and about the median for a 2017 sedan. Among the 5 Jetta model years here it ranks 5th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen filed 664 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. 35 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Airbag warning light or recall 1 bulletin · 21 complaints
Grinding noises can be heard from the area of the steering wheel/driver airbag or steering column when maneuvering OR Various controls, warnings or fault indicators, such as airbag, electronic stabilization programming (ESP), steering assist etc., light up ...
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 2 bulletins · 15 complaints
Brake Rotor, Vibration / Pulsation. Addition of mandatory brake form and reference to Volkswagen Warranty Policy and Procedures Manual.
Brake Rotor, Vibration / Pulsation Instruction (U.S. Only)
Check engine light or misfire 27 bulletins · 13 complaints
Engine misfire diagnostic aid.
Fuel Additive to prevent sporatic misfire
25 more on this problem
Fuel additive to help with misfire faults
Diagnostic Aid for engine misfire.
Recommended fuel additive to avoid engine misfires.
Engine Misfire Diagnostic Aid. Updated to include additional model and model year applicability.
Fuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults
Customer states MIL-on P0087, P0148 and/or P053F Customer states front suspension noise while driving MFI in cluster warning U0199 Customer states fuel odor/leak in the rear part of the vehicle (without a punctured fuel tank, hoses or pipes) or difficulty ...
Customer states MIL-on P0087, P0148 and/or P053F Customer states wind noise from the side mirror or door area MFI in cluster warning U0199 Customer states fuel odor/leak in the rear part of the vehicle (without a punctured fuel tank, hoses or pipes) or ...
Customer states MIL-on P0087, P0148 and/or P053F MFI in cluster warning U0199 Customer states fuel odor/leak in the rear part of the vehicle (without a punctured fuel tank, hoses or pipes) or difficulty fueling fuel tank or fuel coming back up filler neck
Customer states MIL-on with Misfire code Customer states fuel odor/leak in the rear part of the vehicle (without a punctured fuel tank, hoses or pipes) or difficulty fueling fuel tank or fuel coming back up filler neck
Customer states MIL-on with Misfire code No crank, no start Customer states fuel odor/leak in the rear part of the vehicle (without a punctured fuel tank, hoses or pipes) or difficulty fueling fuel tank or fuel coming back up filler neck
Plus 15 older ones not listed here.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 4 bulletins · 9 complaints
Tips to address MIB2 infotainment functionality concerns
Updated diagnostic direction to address new concerns in regards to Apply CarPlay Connection on MIBII equipped vehicles. Update models and model year applicability.
2 more on this problem
Update to existing information to address phone concerns via bluetooth resulting from saved emoji information
Repair direction to address fault code B201A that sets after replacement of the J794 infotainment module. Include model year 2017 for all models with MIB2 radios
Traction control or StabiliTrak light comes on 1 bulletin · 5 complaints
Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) function test may not end on its own causing DTC.
Complaints filed by year
25 complaints came in 2019. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Jetta vehicles. The fuel rail bolts may become loose over time, allowing fuel to leak.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rail bolts and, as necessary, the fuel rail. The recall began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24Gi.
Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact Tenneco customer service at 1-800-625-9319.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Jetta vehicles. The affected vehicles have Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) markings on the body that do not match the VIN plate near the windshield. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Volkswagen has notified owners and has replaced the vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on July 7, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 06A8.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Beetle and Jetta GLI vehicles. The affected vehicles have incorrect information on the tire information label, possibly causing the operator to overload the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected tire information label, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for the recall is 01B9.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Jetta vehicles. The affected vehicles have incorrect information on the tire information label, possibly causing the operator to overload the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers install a corrected tire information label, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for the recall is 01B8
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Jetta vehicles equipped with a 1.4L engine. These vehicles have an engine that may seize due to an improper casting of the block.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Volkswagen will either buy back the vehicle or replace the engine block, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 10F4.
All 7 recalls on the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta?
Airbag, with 21 of the 159 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 32,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2017 Volkswagen Jetta problems start?
Of the 97 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 19,000 miles and half by about 39,000.
Is the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta better or worse than the 2016 and 2018?
Counted per year on the road, the 2017 has about as many complaints as the 2016 and more complaints than the 2018: 16 a year against 15 and 3.
How many 2017 Volkswagen Jetta complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
20 of them (13%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for airbag on the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta?
No recall on file for the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta is on the same system as airbag. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.